Caiaphas: The Jewish high priest (A.D. 27) at the beginning of our Lord's
public ministry, in the reign of Tiberius
(Luke 3:2) and also at the
time of his condemnation and crucifixion
(Matthew 26:3,57; John 11:49)
(John 18:13,14) He held this office during the whole of Pilate's
administration. His wife was the daughter of Annas, who had formerly
been high priest, and was probably the vicar or deputy (Heb. sagan)
of Caiaphas. He was of the sect of the Sadducees
(Acts 5:17) and was a
member of the council when he gave his opinion that Jesus should be
put to death "for the people, and that the whole nation perish not"
(John 11:50) In these words he unconsciously uttered a prophecy. "Like
Saul, he was a prophet in spite of himself." Caiaphas had no power to
inflict the punishment of death, and therefore Jesus was sent to
Pilate, the Roman governor, that he might duly pronounce the sentence
against him
(Matthew 27:2; John 18:28) At a later period his hostility to the
gospel is still manifest
(Acts 4:6)
